Innovation: Can we all do it?
I've blogged before about the difference between problem solving and creativity here and here. These two concepts are different but very much intertwined. Essentially, problem solving is a reaction to something external whereas creativity is a response to something from within. What that something is, however, is extremely hard to identify and I challenge anybody to identify what it is without raising a stink.
This leads to the question: Are some cultures more creative than others? Do some cultures feel more compelled to make the world a better place? Or are we all supposed to just extract as much out of the world as we can for ourselves? Personally, I believe that we all have the potential to be creative, but much of our upbringing, the culture in which we are immersed, our history, our physical environment . . . and other external factors have a bigger influence on our ability to do so than many people will admit.
Whatever. Innovation doesn't much require a few smart people at the top or the careful nurturing of "gifted" children (what a sham that is!). I've said it before, but the true measure of a nation's innovativeness needs to take into account those people at the bottom of the pyramid.
This leads to the question: Are some cultures more creative than others? Do some cultures feel more compelled to make the world a better place? Or are we all supposed to just extract as much out of the world as we can for ourselves? Personally, I believe that we all have the potential to be creative, but much of our upbringing, the culture in which we are immersed, our history, our physical environment . . . and other external factors have a bigger influence on our ability to do so than many people will admit.
Whatever. Innovation doesn't much require a few smart people at the top or the careful nurturing of "gifted" children (what a sham that is!). I've said it before, but the true measure of a nation's innovativeness needs to take into account those people at the bottom of the pyramid.
posted by Gordon Graham at 1:45 PM
8 Comments:
Gordon, I too have thought about this and your questions have me thinking about it again. I think you are on to something about culture.
In education I have thought about the culture of individual schools and if they are innovative and creative or not.
I also wondered if your where you live and work matters. For instance, is the Silicon Valley just a greater source of innovation than other places because of who lives and works there.
What about a city with multiple colleges and universities. Would that make the public schools within it more on the cutting edge of instruction.
Great questions to think about.
I wonder how long it will take for a "ground swell" of awareness and recognition of the fact that there is a "science of creativity". Creating innovative solutions to difficult problems is a learnable process. There is a serious, deep and rigorous set of skills that can be developed to this end. It is not wild, free-wheeling brainstorming, and it is not a bunch of tools (ala Six Sigma) that can be quickly learned and used.
For those who are really serious about this topic, and are not vested in selling books or consulting with companies on how to "unlock" creativity... there is something out there for you, but only if you have the work-ethic to build the skill... the idea starts with a "T"... can you guess what I am referring to?
Rob, yes, culture can be an asset or a liability when it comes to innovation whether it is at the firm, city, regional or national levels. Of course, a firm -- or school -- will have its own unique culture -- but to what extent does the national culture dominate? Are you familiar with Richard Florida? Check him out here:
http://www.creativeclass.com/richard_florida/
David, it's well accepted now that innovation can be systemized -- up to a point -- at the firm level. But at the end of the day, you will still need individuals who are NOT AFRAID to innovate, speak out, take risks, be wrong etc. This can be hard in some countries -- China, for example. The WILL to innovate is lacking -- for whatever reasons. A heads down, get-to-it culture may work in a factory, but what about other service-related industries where individuals are given free reign to make on-the-spot decisions -- and be accountable for these decisions. You're setting us a quiz! Come on, what's the answer?
I was referring to TRIZ. I know some of you are rolling your eyes at this. It seems that most of the population has never heard of it, or they have and they believe it is over-hyped, or "to good to be true".
I agree that it comes down to individuals... which is one reason that I hate certifications like Black Belts,TRIZ experts, etc. Holding the title says nothing about the real impact that they will make.
I have heard some "TRIZ" people suggest that in fact, they see TRIZ spreading faster in China than anywhere else.
Innovation (and TRIZ) are not for everyone. But anywhere that you have an individual that has lofty goals for themselves and their accomplishments, and enjoys the pursuit of those accomplishments, you have someone capable of significant innovation.
But I have to agree with you that you can "plant great seeds on rocky ground, and nothing will grow".
I could write on this forever, but I'll offer one more thing: I sense that people often regard innovation as something magical by having a wonderfully creative and supportive environment. That alone just reinforces the mistaken idea that wild "brainstorming" is some kind of powerful tool, and ignores that fact that it is about the most ineffective way that someone could go about the task. We have all seen wild, but very interesting ideas generated inside of companies, and then the company determines that it is really not within their desired market space.
Instead, imagine having the people and skill to identify where innovation would be most desired for that company, and then have the confidence and power to do just that.
Having the confidence to rise to any challenge is a heck of a lot of fun... and my TRIZ skills have given me that.
@David: I never heard about TRIZ. I'll look for information about that. I don't understand what you are referring with "brainstorming as about the most innefective way that someone could go about the task", because I use it for a lot of thinks and it is a valuable tool. In fact, lots of people have used it for years with very good results. Of course, it depends on what is your task what tool you will use, but to say that brainstorming is "the most innefective way"? I don't think so.
I know my comment about brainstorming may have been a little extreme... however, its time for the world to realize that "brainstorming" is child's play, pedestrian and elementary. Generating random thoughts in all different directions is very, very ineffective way to uncover or create that great idea. There is a much more direct way.
Creating a safe environment that promotes brainstorming does not constitute enabling innovation... this notion is crap, pablum, nonsense. Please, anyone of you who are working on the 1 millionth book on creativity and innovation... please spare us more garbage on "creativity". Focusing on creativity is like someone who is trying to become a pro golfer thinking that it is all in the clubs. Good clubs help, but they don't make up for weak skills. And since not everyone can afford expensive clubs, its a good thing that it is really all in the discipline, skill and hard work.
Thanks for listening... I enjoy hearing your thoughts.
Thanks guys for sharing! I, too, don't know much about TRIZ beyond that it's a problem-solving process.
There's a new book out, "Talent is Overrated" that I think will be interesting. It dispels the misconceptions around "talent." Like others, this is an admirable book in the sense that it pays attention to the invisible processes that lead to successful outcomes as opposed to the outcome itself. Re: brainstorming, there are different views on this: we need both focus and openness in my view. I read recently in "Sway" that we also need "blockers/dissenters" -- and that these should be built in to systems as well. In other words, a bit of dour, glass-half-empty realism in an environment of blissful hubris can be a good thing -- and can also be a lifesaver, literally. That appeals to me, but if I ever walked into a job interview with that attitude, would I get the job? (More on hunting for an innovation-related job later!) Cheers and have a scary halloween.
This is right on! People are creative by nature and will innovate as needed and if given the freedom from retribution will perform.
Traditional brainstorming is over-rated because it gets alot out of the few and fails to get the most out of everyone.
We use the GROW! technique to focus on creating a culture of innovation as opposed to making a program, per se.
*G*et out of the way!! Don’t let your ego get in the way. Let people be people and don’t stifle their need to improvise and come up with solutions!
*R*eward Risk taking and innovative thinking. Nothing helps innovation like knowing that someone has “got your back”
*O*bstacle removal. You’re trying to do everything at breakneck speed-get the obstacles to success out of the way so you don’t trip! What are the obstacles? Ask your people.
*W*ork and win! Nothing spurs innovation like confronting the problems of the day. Work hard and innovation will percolate.
Metrics of a changing culture are harder to measure but a key subject of my research.
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